Artists and designers with an eye for interpreting history are being sought for a mural to be created on the retaining wall on Jackson Street in downtown Port.

The Heritage Wall Transformation project seeks to bring history to life in an artistic expression, said Sara Grover, executive director of Port Washington Main Street, which is sponsoring the design competition along with Sign Effectz of Glendale.

“It’s not just to beautify the downtown, but also to tie in the art we have in Port — the galleries and studios — and to really pick up on the unique history we have in the city,” Grover said.

“We want to really capture the lakefront, capture the heritage of Port Washington. Anybody could put a lighthouse on a wall. What they (Main Street’s design committee) want is to have someone reach back and put up something iconic that relates to the history of Port.”

The purpose of the wall is to “educate, inspire and express” the city’s history, according to a press release on the competition that notes the mural “will create something special for the city’s visitors and residents.”

The competition is not for a paid commission, Grover noted, but for a volunteer willing to work on the mural for the community.

“We’re looking for someone to give their time and talents,” she said.

The design committee has wanted to work on the retaining wall for some time, Grover said, but has instead focused on improving the facades of downtown

buildings.

“That’s happening now,” she said. “Now they’re moving forward on other things that will complement the building facades.”

The competition is open to individuals or companies, and the designs may be two or three-dimensional.

Contest entries are due Jan. 1 and will be judged by the Design Committee. One design will be selected for the wall, with the winner announced by March 1. The mural will then be created on the wall in spring.

Entry forms are available at Sign Effectz Inc.’s Facebook page or by calling the Main Street office at 268-1132.